The Vibrant Kribensis Cichlid: A Comprehensive Care and Breeding Guide
Discover Diet, Habitat, and Breeding Tips for the Colorful Kribensis
A dwarf cichlid, the kribensis is a colorful fish that's easy to care for. Its Latin name translates to "fish with a beautiful belly." During the spawning season, the female sports a brilliant, cherry-red colored belly. Kribensis fish originate in the African waters of southern Nigeria and the coastal areas of Cameroon. They prefer shallow water with thick vegetation but are tolerant of many different levels of water hardness.
Species Overview
Common Names: Kribensis, purple cichlid, palette cichlid, rainbow krib, pink kribensis cichlid, king cichlid
Scientific Name: Pelvicachromis pulcher
Adult Size: 3 (female) to 4 (male) inches
Life Expectancy: 5 years
Characteristics
| Family | Cichlidae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Africa |
| Social | Peaceful |
| Tank Level | Bottom dweller |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallon |
| Diet | Omnivore, eats most foods |
| Breeding | Egglayer |
| Care | Easy |
| pH | 6.5-7.0 |
| Hardness | 8 to 12 dGH |
| Temperature | 75 to 77 F (24 to 25 C) |
Origin and Distribution
As is often the case with common names, debate exists over which cichlid species truly is the kribensis. Technically, kribensis refers to the species Pelvicachromis taeniatus. However, in the aquarium trade, Pelvicachromis pulcher as well as other fish in this genus are sold under the name kribensis.
The fish originates from the drainage area at the mouth of the Ethiope River in the Niger Delta, where a variety of water conditions exist. The water of the low-lying blackwater streams is acidic and very soft, while the delta waters are slightly brackish, more alkaline, and far harder than the streams feeding into it. For this reason, kribensis is sometimes described as a brackish-water fish, but it can live in a variety of water conditions, although sudden changes in water chemistry can stress fish and contribute to disease.
Colors and Markings
Even when not spawning, these are attractive fish that can be found in a variety of color morphs such as yellow, red, green, and blue, in addition to the albino variety, which has been bred for several decades. The wild-color fish has a black longitudinal stripe running from the mouth to the caudal fin, with a white area above that and a dark stripe along the dorsum. The fins are orange and yellow. The gill cover is yellow or red, with a red abdomen that intensifies during breeding, especially in the female.
Tankmates
P. pulcher is often kept in a community tank, however, take care in choosing tankmates. Although they are a peaceful fish, they may nip the fins of slow-moving fish such as angelfish. If other cichlids are to live in the tank, choose a species that is not bottom-dwelling so they won't compete for the same territory. Avoid keeping them with another cave-dwelling species, as kribensis are territorial about caves.
Kribensis Habitat and Care
When using half-round clay or ceramic flower pots, make sure there are no chemicals on or in the pot's material that could leach out. Even plastic pipes, coconut shells, or driftwood can be used to create suitable caves. To use a half of a coconut shell, cut off a small piece of one end to make an entrance, and press it down into the gravel.
The tank itself should be well-planted with real or artificial plants. While they are generally not destructive to vegetation, kribensis does like to dig and they may uproot plants. They favor fine, dark-colored gravel, which they will quickly rearrange to suit their needs. In addition to caves and plant cover, offer an area for open swimming. Kribensis is an undemanding fish when it comes to water conditions, which is another reason for its popularity.
Kribensis Diet and Feeding
Feeding Your Fish Live Food
Gender Differences
Females have shorter rounded fins and a broad yellow band across the top of the dorsal fin. They are much smaller than the males and have a more rounded belly that is bright red/purple when they are ready to spawn.
Males are larger, longer, and thinner with fins that end in distinct points. They are less brilliantly colored than the females, especially on the belly. Make sure to get the same species of fish; there are several closely related kribensis cichlid species that look similar.
Breeding the Kribensis
Females ready to spawn can be quite aggressive.
It is common to see the breeding pair moving gravel out of the cave just prior to spawning—they are preparing the cave for the young fry. Once the pair has prepared their nest, spawning will take place within the cave, where 200 to 300 eggs will be laid on the inside surface of the cave. From the time the eggs are laid until the fry are free swimming, the female will remain in the cave, coming out only very rarely to eat. The male will patrol around the cave fastidiously, protecting the female and their brood. The speckled fry darting just across the surface of the gravel are difficult to spot. When venturing out of the cave, they will stick next to the parent fish like a shadow.
Once the fry are free-swimming,